The first aim of this course is to introduce students to some of the key concepts in the discipline of Political Science: power, influence, authority, legitimacy, coercion, conflict, interests, policy-making, bureaucracy, political communication, accountability and democracy.

The second aim is to use these and other concepts to examine the major institutions of Australian politics, often in a comparative perspective. Students will explore the Constitution, Federalism, Parliament, Cabinet, the Public Service, the Electoral System, the High Court, Political Parties, Interest Groups, Social Movements and the Media.

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

1. Critically analyse some of the key concepts in political science – presented in lectures and re-enforced through participation in tutorials.
2. Participate in-group discussions about contested concepts with confidence and with tolerance for other points of view.
3. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the nature and significance of politics and governance.
4. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of differences in political systems and the contexts in which they operate.
5. Apply concepts and theories used in the study of political science to the analysis of interests, institutions and behaviour.
6. Demonstrate the capacity to use different research methods used to investigate political phenomena.
7. Demonstrate the capacity to develop evidence-based argument and evaluation.
8. Gather, organise and use a variety of evidence from a variety of primary and secondary sources.

Tutorial Participation: 10% of final grade [Learning Outcomes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

Essay: 40% of final grade - Due 15 April [Learning Outcomes 6, 7, 8]

Final take-home assessment: 50% of final grade - Due 31 May [Learning Outcomes 6, 7, 8]

Two lectures and one tutorial a week. Students are expected to commit up to 10 hours per week (contact plus non-contact).  Lectures will be recorded.

Regular reading of any one of The Canberra Times, The Australian, The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age or The Australian Financial Review.

Eccleston, R., Williams, P. and Hollander, R. Foundations of Australian Politics, (Pearson, 2006).